A History of the RSC in 50 Objects (Online)

POSTER

The Two Gentlemen of Verona, 1991

Director: David Thacker

The Two Gentlemen of Verona is one of Shakespeare's lesser known plays. It is thought by some to be the first play that he wrote. In 1991 The Two Gentlemen of Verona had not been performed in Stratford for 21 years.

Thacker set the play in the 1920s. The design was heavily influenced by the Art Deco movement. Music by the likes of Gershwin, Irving Berlin and Cole Porter accompanied the production. Critics praised Thacker's approach saying that it highlighted Shakespeare's most lyrical and romantic lines.

This production was also a key moment for Guy Woolfenden. The composer had worked on many Shakespeare productions throughout his career. His work on this play meant that he had finally written music for all of Shakespeare's plays